Barbara Neely was a respected mystery author famous for her socially conscious and award-winning Blanche White mystery series. Her acclaimed novel Blanche on the Lam offers both intrigue and thoughtful social commentary.
If you enjoy reading books by Barbara Neely then you might also like the following authors:
Valerie Wilson Wesley introduces Tamara Hayle in When Death Comes Stealing. Tamara is a private investigator in Newark, New Jersey, and she’s also a single mom. She’s tough and resourceful, much like Blanche.
In her first outing, Tamara looks into the deaths of some local teenage boys. The investigation forces her to uncover uncomfortable family secrets and deal with tensions in the community.
Wesley’s stories mix realistic characters, thoughtful social commentary, and suspenseful plots.
Alexander McCall Smith offers a different flavor of detective story with The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. The main character, Mma Precious Ramotswe, is Botswana’s first female private detective.
She relies on her incredible common sense and understanding of people to solve her cases. These can range from finding a missing husband to figuring out why people act the way they do. The stories are set against the beautiful backdrop of Botswana.
They have a gentle humor and warmth that make you feel right at home with Mma Ramotswe.
Gwendolyn Southin sets her mysteries in mid-twentieth-century Canada. They are full of humor and sharp observations about society. Death in a Family Way introduces Maggie Spencer, a spirited detective. Maggie works with her friend Nat Southby.
Together, they investigate the strange disappearance of a young pregnant woman in 1950s Vancouver. Their witty conversations and smart detective work lead them through family secrets and unexpected situations.
If you enjoy Blanche White, Maggie Spencer’s energy and the story’s twists might appeal to you.
Chester Himes wrote intense mysteries that blend crime with biting social observations. His novel A Rage in Harlem features Coffin Ed Johnson and Grave Digger Jones. These two Harlem detectives are relentless and use grit and dark humor to tackle crime.
The plot follows Jackson, an earnest undertaker’s assistant who gets tangled in a scheme involving fake gold and dangerous people. Himes paints a vivid picture of 1950s Harlem, full of life but also reflecting harsh realities through fast-paced action.
Marcia Muller is a big name in detective fiction. Her series features Sharon McCone, a character readers often connect with if they like strong female leads. In Edwin of the Iron Shoes, McCone investigates odd happenings at an antique shop.
Someone is vandalizing items by adding iron shoes. Things get serious when the shop owner turns up murdered. Muller writes in a clear, direct style. She uncovers family secrets and complex relationships as McCone works the case.
McCone is intelligent, independent, and a fascinating character.
Sue Grafton created the iconic private investigator Kinsey Millhone for her Alphabet series. Kinsey is independent and uses her sharp mind to solve cases, qualities she shares with Blanche White. In A is for Alibi, Kinsey takes on the case of Nikki Fife.
Nikki has just finished a prison sentence for allegedly murdering her husband but claims she is innocent. Kinsey has to sort through old lies and hidden motives to find the real story. The investigation leads to surprising places and keeps you guessing.
Attica Locke writes crime fiction that really explores place, history, and community. Her novel Bluebird, Bluebird is a great example. It’s set in East Texas, where Darren Mathews, a Black Texas Ranger, investigates two deaths that initially seem unconnected.
As Darren digs into the town’s secrets, he confronts racial tensions and complicated family loyalties. Locke’s detailed storytelling and sharp insights into human behavior create layered, thoughtful mysteries.
Naomi Hirahara writes mysteries that mix clever detective plots with insightful social observations. Her Mas Arai series starts with Summer of the Big Bachi. Mas Arai is an elderly Japanese-American gardener living in California. He is also a survivor of the Hiroshima bombing.
His quiet life is disrupted when a stranger appears, and secrets from his past resurface alongside mysterious deaths. Hirahara weaves together modern California life, historical events, and the Japanese American experience into a unique and surprising detective story.
Walter Mosley is famous for his Easy Rawlins detective series, which starts with Devil in a Blue Dress. Easy Rawlins is a Black war veteran living in 1948 Los Angeles. After losing his job, he reluctantly takes on a case to find a missing woman.
Easy navigates a world of jazz clubs, racial tension, and shady dealings. Mosley vividly portrays post-war Los Angeles and its atmosphere. His direct style, authentic dialogue, and memorable characters bring the era to life.
Sara Paretsky created the tough Chicago private investigator V.I. Warshawski in Indemnity Only. V.I. doesn’t back down from difficult cases and often confronts social injustices.
When a simple insurance investigation leads her into a web of corporate corruption and murder, V.I. finds herself in serious danger. Paretsky crafts tightly plotted stories with a strong, independent lead character.
She also includes sharp critiques of social issues, similar to themes found in Neely’s work.
Canadian author Tanya Huff offers mysteries with engaging characters and unique twists. Her novel Blood Price introduces Vicki Nelson, a former police detective who becomes a private investigator.
Vicki takes on a strange case in Toronto and finds herself working with Henry Fitzroy, who happens to be a vampire and a romance novelist. They team up to track a killer who might not be human. Huff blends suspense, humor, and great character interactions.
The fantasy elements feel surprisingly natural within the story.
Rita Mae Brown writes witty mysteries, often set in the American South, featuring strong female characters. Her book Wish You Were Here introduces Mary Minor Harry Haristeen, the postmistress in the small Virginia town of Crozet.
When disturbing postcards start arriving and murder disrupts the town’s peace, Harry investigates. She gets help from her very observant cat, Mrs. Murphy, and her dog, Tee Tucker. Brown explores small-town secrets with humor, warmth, and clever observations.
Catherine Coulter writes mysteries that often feature FBI agents solving complex cases. Her book The Cove introduces agents Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock.
The main story follows Sally Brainerd, who flees to her aunt’s home in a small Oregon town called The Cove after a traumatic experience. Soon, strange things start happening there. Sally begins to suspect something dark is hidden in the town itself.
Coulter creates suspenseful plots with entertaining twists and characters you want to follow from book to book.
Diane Mott Davidson combines cozy mysteries with cooking. Her main character is Goldy Schulz, a caterer who often finds herself involved in criminal investigations. In Catering to Nobody, Goldy caters a wake where her former father-in-law is poisoned.
Suddenly, Goldy is a suspect. She has to figure out who the real killer is to clear her name. Davidson serves up suspense and rich details about life in a small Colorado town, along with delicious food descriptions woven into the story.
Eleanor Taylor Bland created the Marti MacAlister series. Marti is a Black female detective who balances demanding cases with her family life, a dynamic readers of Blanche White might recognize.
In Dead Time, Marti investigates the death of a woman found in an abandoned building. As Marti explores complex community relationships and follows unexpected leads, she uncovers secrets hidden just below the surface of the town.
Bland’s books offer character-driven mysteries with thoughtful insights into race, family, and social issues.